Praying in Unsafe Times

In Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians, he ends the letter with a set of instructions: "And we urge you, brothers and sisters, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5:14-18)."

Give thanks in all circumstances? Pray without ceasing? Even in these circumstances? How are we supposed to do that, exactly?

First Peter echoes Paul, also quoting Psalm 34:

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; bu, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this reason that you were called--that you might inherit a blessing. For

Those who desire life and desire to see good days,

let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit;

let them turn away from evil and do good;

let them seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do with is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.

Last Sunday, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Sean Rowe, published a pastoral letter to the Episcopal Church. You can read the full statement here, but here is the heart of his message:

This is God’s call to The Episcopal Church now, and it is not an easy one. In the United States, we no longer live in a time when we can expect to practice our faith without risk, and we are confronting what vulnerable communities of faith have experienced for generations. Our right to worship freely as one church, committed to the dignity of every human being, has been curtailed by the fear that too many immigrant Christians face when they leave their homes. Peaceful protests, a right long enshrined in the Constitution, are now made deadly. Carrying out the simple commands of Jesus—feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, visiting prisoners, making peace—now involves risks for the church and grave danger for those we serve. As Christians, we must acknowledge that this chaos and division is not of God, and we must commit ourselves to paying whatever price our witness requires of us.

In the coming years, our church will continue to be tested in every conceivable way as we insist that death and despair do not have the last word, and as we stand with immigrants and the most vulnerable among us who reside at the heart of God. We will be required to hold fast to God’s promise to make all things new, because our call to follow God’s law surpasses any earthly power or principality that might seek to silence our witness.

It is difficult to pray in the midst of these circumstances.

When I was first starting out on my life of discipleship, when I decided not just be a fan of Jesus but actually to follow him, I started reading my Bible and memorizing Bible verses. One such verse that has carried me through some difficult times is from Proverbs: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path" (Proverbs 3:5-6--yes, I memorized it from the King James!). This is really just another way of saying, "Pray without ceasing," or "in your hearts, sanctify Christ as Lord." It means that you and I have been called (as 1 Peter says), and our calling is not changed or abrogated by shifting circumstances. The mission is the same. Our standing orders are the same: Love one another; do not repay evil for evil. Stay close on the heels of Jesus, and even though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil.

I know, I know. Pretty words, but easier said than done.